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Dear friend,
Thursday marked two years since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the U.S.
Since then, we have accomplished so much to keep everyone safe. Our nation's work to develop vaccines and therapies should be a source of pride for all of us. Our progress is also the result of the endless dedication of health care and frontline workers, and scientists who have kept our country running through the ups and downs of the pandemic.
We are close to coming out on the other side of this crisis. Now, those who are unvaccinated are standing in the way. Vaccinations and boosters exponentially decrease the chance of hospitalization and will keep you and your loved ones from falling severely ill.
These tools are safe, effective, and the key to returning to normalcy.
There is no excuse for hospitals to be crowded with COVID-19 patients as others await their own medical attention. Schools must remain open to ensure our youngest generations can continue to learn and socialize. Workers should be able to get back to their workplaces safely so businesses can get up and running again. These are just some of the reasons why I support vaccine mandates.
We have the tools we need to finally and fully emerge from this pandemic. We should use them to overcome COVID-19 and its devastating effects.
Find a COVID-19 vaccination/booster site near you, get free at-home COVID tests, and keep an eye out for upcoming information about where you can get free N95 masks from the government.
Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done recently to serve you.
Legislation
National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act of 2022
As we work to combat the climate crisis, we must prepare our communities for unavoidable weather events caused by climate change. To achieve this goal, I introduced the National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act (NCARS) this week, along with Rep. María Salazar (R-FL-27) and Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bipartisan and bicameral bill streamlines the federal response to climate hazards that threaten human health, safety, and critical infrastructure.
Increasingly severe weather caused by climate change requires greater investments for communities to keep up and rebuild. In 2021 alone, damages from extreme weather in the U.S. exceeded $145B, compared to just $28.6B during my first year in Congress in 2013. Here in San Diego and other coastal communities, residents face future displacement and economic disruption from the overlooked threat of sea level rise.
Read more about this landmark climate legislation here.
Calling for COVID-19 Tests Reimbursement for Seniors
As we continue working to put COVID-19 to rest, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ-09) and I are calling on the Biden administration to provide full reimbursement to Medicare recipients who purchase at-home COVID-19 tests. In a letter sent earlier this month, we urged that beneficiaries should have continued access to at-home COVID-19 testing and their providers should be involved in the ordering of tests and made aware of test results.
Recently, the Biden administration required commercial insurers to cover the cost of at-home COVID tests. Broad access to diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is needed to effectively identify and mitigate the spread of this virus. Without comparable benefits available through the Medicare program, nearly 20 percent of the population would be made to pay out-of-pocket for COVID-19 tests.
Committee Hearings on Securing Energy Infrastructure and Blockchains
On Wednesday and Thursday, I participated in two Energy and Commerce Committee hearings on energy infrastructure and blockchains. On energy infrastructure, I asked Chairman Richard Glick from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the reliability benefits the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has provided to the Bulk-Power System, and also asked how the Building a Better Grid initiative will improve electric reliability.
During Thursday's hearing, we talked about how blockchain technology and cryptocurrency are very promising, but can consume enormous amounts of energy. I asked the expert witnesses about the state of innovation in computing efficiency to reduce energy consumption so we can stay on track to achieve our climate goals.
ICYMI: A Recap of Federal Assistance for Shuttered Venues
This month, I shared results of my work for the people of California's 52nd district and celebrated funds secured during 2021 to help struggling San Diego businesses. Over $92 million were delivered to 63 organizations in my district via the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act which the President signed into law in March 2021. The Shuttered Venues Operators Grant program provided much-needed relief for eligible industries to support thousands of jobs and hard work, as well as the beating heart of San Diego's art and music culture.
Learn how these funds made a difference for struggling venue operators in a recent NBC 7 news story here.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, contact us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.
To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.
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